A Declaration of Interdependence: A New Global Ethics Faith Without Frontiers by John M. Allegro Perestroika and Humanism in China by Paul Kurtz Japanese Secularism by Kenneth K. Inada Unity and Dissension in Islam by Abdul H. Raoof Christian Soldiers March Woody Allen's on Latin America Interview with by Merrill Collett Billy Graham "we also: The Last Temptation of Christ FALL 1988, VOL. 8, NO. 4 Free bushy') ISSN 0272-0701 Contents 3 LETTERS TO THE EDITOR 16 ON THE BARRICADES 58 IN THE NAME OF GOD 4 A DECLARATION OF INTERDEPENDENCE: A NEW GLOBAL ETHICS 8 EDITORIALS Misconceptions About Secular Humanism, Tim Madigan / Miscegenation and Intermarriage, Vern Bul- lough / Theological Reflections in a Traffic Jam, R. Joseph Hoffmann 10 Woody Allen Interviews The Reverend Billy Graham 12 Coping with Grief: "Dear Helen Williams ..." 14 The Tenth Humanist World Congress BELIEF AND UNBELIEF WORLDWIDE 18 Faith Without Frontiers John M. Allegro 26 Perestroika and Humanism on China Paul Kurtz 28 Japanese Secularism: A Reexamination Kenneth K. Inada 34 Unity and Dissension in Islam Abdul H. Raoof 37 Christian Soldiers March on Latin America Merrill Collett 43 VIEWPOINTS Organized Religion Not Required for Moral Life, William Edelen / A Garden of Cosmic Delights—The New Age Marketplace, Pat Linse and Al Seckel / More from Hook and Homnick / Robert G. Ingersoll and the Fundamentalists of His Day, Philip Mass / Atheism on Campus, Gordon Stein 51 BOOKS "Love Addiction," William F. Ryan / Joseph Campbell and Myth, Thomas Franczyk I Books in Brief 54 FILM "The Last Temptation of Christ" R Joseph Hoffmann Editor: Paul Kurtz Senior Editors: Vern Bullough, Gerald Larue Associate Editors: Doris Doyle, Steven L. Mitchell, Lee Nisbet, Gordon Stein Managing Editor: Tim Madigan Assistant Editors: Mary Beth Gehrman, Valerie Marvin Contributing Editors: Robert S. Alley, professor of humanities, University of Richmond; Paul Beattie, Unitarian Church, Pittsburgh; Jo-Ann Boydston, director, Dewey Center; Paul Edwards, professor of philosophy, Brooklyn College; Albert Ellis, director, Institute for Rational-Emotive Therapy; Roy P. Fairfield, social scientist, Union Graduate School; Joseph Fletcher, theologian, University of Virginia Medical School; Antony Flew, philosopher, Reading University, England; R. Joseph Hoffmann, chairman, Department of Philosophy and Religion, Hartwick College, Oneonta, N.Y.; Sidney Hook, Professor Emeritus of Philosophy, NYU; Marvin Kohl, philosopher, State University of New York College at Fredonia; Jean Kotkin, executive director, American Ethical Union; Ronald A. Lindsay, attorney, Washington, D.C.; Delos B. McKown, professor of philosophy, Auburn University; Howard Radest, director, Ethical Culture Schools; Robert Rimmer, author; Svetozar Stojanovic, professor of philosophy, University of Belgrade; Thomas Szasz, psychiatrist, Upstate Medical Center, Syracuse; V. M. Tarkunde, Supreme Court Judge, India; Richard Taylor, professor of philosophy, Union College; Sherwin Wine, North American Committee for Humanism Editorial Associates: Jim Christopher, Fred Condo Jr., Thomas Flynn, Thomas Franczyk, Robert Basil, James Martin-Diaz, Andrea Szalanski Executive Director of CODESH, Inc.: Jean Millholland Systems Manager: Richard Seymour Typesetting: Paul E. Loynes Audio Technician: Vance Vigrass Staff: Steven Karr, Jacqueline Livingston, Anthony Nigro, Alfreda Pidgeon FREE INQUIRY (ISSN 0272-0701) is published quarterly by the Council for Democratic and Secular Humanism (CODESH, Inc.), a nonprofit corporation, 3159 Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14215. Phone (716) 834-2921. Copyright 01988 by CODESH, Inc. Second-class postage paid at Buffalo, New York, and at additional mailing offices. National distribution by International Periodicals Distributors, San Diego, California. Subscription rates: $20.00 for one year, $35.00 for two years, $48.00 for three years, $3.75 for single copies. Address subscription orders, changes of address, and advertising to: FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo. NY 14215-0005. Manuscripts, letters, and editorial inquiries should be addressed to: The Editor, FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005. All manuscripts should be accompanied by two additional copies and a stamped, self-addressed envelope. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the views of the editors or publisher. Postmaster: Send address changes to FREE INQUIRY, Box 5, Buffalo, NY 14215-0005. otherwise) would be called a satisfier by Thorndike, a reinforcer by Skinner and a reward by any other name. Letters All of this may be more coherent in textual form; I don't know. Bainbridge says he lacks belief himself, but the personal existential angst (e.g., man, the courageous Is Religiosity Pathological? species, reaching out for the "most sublime," that is, eternal life) that comes through in Albert Ellis is courageous enough to take if true, strengthens my belief that Ph.D.s his FREE INQUIRY article makes me wonder on the majority of the world's population, should be revocable). This, however, just and leads to the following comment: and I admire him for that. How many people seems too shallow an explanation for the The Stark and Bainbridge theory of reli- out there are arrogant (in the positive sense) thousands of people in this "scientific-yet- gion seems to be an argument based on the and blunt enough to publicly point out the devout" category. incredulity of the authors, rather than on obvious pathological aspects of religion and deductions from a "few propositions about religiosity? I applaud Ellis for a frank, lucid Hans G. Machel humans and the world we inhabit." It ap- analysis of this subject (Spring 1988). He Edmonton, Alberta pears that Bainbridge says they cannot also points out which parts of his article are imagine that belief in the supernatural could hypotheses that are not cast in stone, but ever become an outmoded belief (because subject to verification, scrutiny, and/or Liberated by Humanism there are no viable alternatives) and finally modification. Way to go! become recognized by most humans for what Being a secular humanist, skeptic, and Although I have never been a clergyman, it actually is—nonsense. Therefore they de- scientist, I am firmly in agreement with I can agree with Thomas Vernon's "Kicking clare that this development is impossible. almost every aspect of Ellis's analysis. One the Religion Habit" (Summer 1988). When Are we humans really just victims of particular area, however, is dealt with weak- I decided to disencumber myself many years learned helplessness? Marvin Minsky (1986), ly, if not unsatisfactorily. I keep wondering ago (after a long build-up of dissatisfaction), in his book Society of Mind, says: "What how any true scientist can also be a devout I escaped the withdrawal syndrome; rather, are those old fierce beliefs in spirits, souls, believer in religion or religiosity as the terms I was euphoric and have remained so. For and essences (anyway) but insinuations that are used in Ellis's sense. In his article, Ellis the first time in my life I could read "forbid- we are helpless to improve ourselves?" Do states that "while people may be both den" literature, challenge and disregard ir- the data actually support this conclusion? scientific and vaguely or generally religious relevant dogmas, think independently and (as, for example, many liberal Protestants weigh matters objectively, ignore meaning- James E. Du Ruz and Reform Jews), it is doubtful whether less taboos, and freely disagree with church Seattle, Wash. they may simultaneously be thoroughly paper and pulpit garbage—all without nag- devout and objective." How does this state- ging guilt. I can best describe the sensation ment apply to people like Charles Darwin, as being comparable to having experienced The question, "Is Belief in the Supernatural Albert Einstein, and the many other first- glorious relief after a prolonged bout with Inevitable?" can be answered simply and rate scientists who are also religious? Where constipation. directly: Yes, so long as there are people who is the borderline between being objective, accept superstitions without exercising their rational, and scientific, and being subjective, F. Mark Davis reasoning powers, who are ignorant of basic irrational, and unscientific (that is, reli- Chico, Calif. logic, and who are afraid to be skeptical. gious)? Furthermore, to stretch this argu- ment beyond Ellis's limited context, how do Russell E. Simmons scientists like Harold Puthoff and Russell On Belief in the Supernatural Raton, N.M. Targ from the Stanford Research Institute fit into the above citation? Both have made Perhaps it is unfair to be critical of the Stark significant contributions to science. Yet they and Bainbridge theory of religion (Spring William Sims Bainbridge might not be so are highly irrational, as demonstrated, for 1988). After all, the "nutshell" version by pessimistic about man's ability to live with- example, by their questionable actions and Bainbridge is, by his own admission, "a very out religion if he realized that secularism is ridiculous statements in their investigation sketchy outline." He says, on the other hand, not just a modern phenomenon. According of the "powers" of Uri Geller (see James that "the central ideas (of the theory) should to British anthropologist Mary Douglas, Randi, The Truth About Uri Geller, Prome- be clear enough." "The idea that primitive man is by nature theus Books, 1982). It is not really clear to me, however, how deeply religious is nonsense. The truth is that